Pre-cruise at Red Lion Jansen beach hotel,$ 40 cab ride from airport ,very large hotel,nice rooms ,good restaurant,boat docks at hotel,free breakfast on day of embarkation.Some confusion on day of embarkation.Onboard welcome and lunch on boat,crowded. Had room 404 on deck 4 forward,large room, quiet,nice veranda,small but,usable.Was liformed by others that lower deck cabins were noisy at times.Breakfast in morning good,lunch also good ( see menu pics) beer and wine with lunch.Dinners also good,service and food started at level 8,but slipped to level 4or 5 by day 3 of cruise.Some servers inattentive at times,find a good one and stay with them,crew all young and nice and friendly. Food fine first 3 days,but started to be served cold quite often after that,not sure if this was a service problem or cooking one.Snacks available in all lounges all day,cookies,chips soda coffee,tea and specialty coffees. Sometimes beer and wine setup in the Sky lounge after 1:00pm.Lounges very nice,Paddlewheel cuttest,but noisy while under way,Sky lounge best,could move inside or outside as mood or weather dictates.Fith deck nice in good weather.Happy hour in Cascade lounge at 5:30 pm,any drink you want,and interesting appetizers,shrimp,crab claws,cheese ,smoked salmon ,also two servers with other appetizers.Late bar with intertainment,same drink set up ,intertainment ok ( we’re not show people) Shared boat with group from Smithsonion society,nick named them THE ROYAL FAMILY.Had their own section of dining room,own buses,left boat first,etc discouraged from associating with the second class citizens,although some broke the rules.be aware this can happen,enough said.Excursions,some additional charges not mentioned in brochures,Astoria,Fort Clatsop,if you have nothing better to do,Cape Disappointment,beautiful,well worth it,great views,Mt St.Helens very nice ,long bus ride,worth it,Multnomah falls very nice ,beautiful,Bonneville dam interesting,The Dalles ,small town,rest day for us.Cascade Cliffs winery ,small,but nice. Helles canyon boat ride was excellent.saw mule deer,rocky mountain sheep.excellent lunch,long ride ,but fascinating.Scenery on trip beautiful,be aware all lock transitions are at night or early in the morning and can be noisy at times,we could touch the lock wall from our veranda. Transfer to the Spokane airport good,Garden inn by Marriott one mile from airport free shuttle too and from hotel,very nice restaurant across parkin lot,short walk,nice hotel Biggest challenge is flying,no surprise there. in summary a good trip, but expensive compared with an ocean cruise,two or three times as much .Not for young people ,at 70 was one of younger people on board Read Less

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We spent much more money and had much less value than we have on other cruises. The food was mediocre at best. They charge for WIFI and do not include even house wine during cocktail hour/briefings. The cabins were fine and the ship appeared clean. However, for the cost, the expectation is high. They seem to pin most of their value on the on-board naturalists. They were fine, and the on-board historian was excellent. There was a lock closure that blocked the ship from going up the river. Lindblad/Nat Geo knew about it more than a week prior but did not cancel the cruise or provide a chance to cancel with refund. They sent an email which some did not receive - no phone call - two days prior to embarcation. We had to ride buses for hours and stay in sub-par accommodations. We will never take a Lindblad/National Geographic trip again. Read Less

I had always wanted to take this cruise of the Columbia River. The scenery and history was so interesting and the ship was lovely. Being a small ship with 184 passengers, everything was close. The staff was young and very hard-working and did an excellent job. The food was great and plentiful. The history of the area, following the path of Lewis and Clark, was fascinating and the geology and scenery in the area was so interesting. We loved floating down the river and seeing Washington and Oregon from a different perspective. The shore excursions were mostly included in the price of the cruise. We especially enjoyed seeing Mt St Helen. Most of the ports were in rural areas, which was fine. There’s something interesting to see everywhere. Overall we would highly recommend this cruise. Although the cost is on the high end, it is all-inclusive and we would do it again. Read Less

We chose this particular cruise for location/itinerary and the fact that it included a new riverboat. It was a very pleasant cruise overall; but there was some room for improvement. The crew/staff was especially friendly and helpful from the captain to the officers to the servers and housekeeping staff. The dining room and snack food was tasty, plentiful and frequent, but not at a gourmet level and featured meats over chicken and local seafood. The casual cafe needs improved offerings and food preparation. Rolls, muffins, pastries and other bakery items were especially good. The wine choices--mostly local-- were varied and very drinkable, One entertainer (2 nights) was excellent, one put us to sleep and two entertainer couples were very pleasant. On board daytime activities were not for us and too many involved alcohol. The scenery was quite beautiful. A small onboard gift shop with logo souvenirs and a small toiletries selection, as well as a library would be nice additions. Read Less

We wanted to experience the pacific northwest and travel with some good friends. The literature advertised this as upscale, all inclusive. We've taken many ocean cruises (15+) but never a river cruise anywhere. I'm not sure I'd say this is upscale, and I'm not convinced its worth the additional monies versus what you'd pay for a large vessel cruise. The Hop On/Hop Off bus is a nice feature, as is the wine and beer with dinner, but it's an expensive gimmick, not worth the extra money you pay. The cabins are nicely appointed but small, just like a larger ship. The intimate size (200+ passengers) was quite nice, but most were very elderly and the things to do were very limited. Food was good. Quantity was good, you could have extras. The number of menu selections were limited compared to a larger ship. The River Grill menu covers a wide range of items but it doesn't compare to a "for-fee" restaurant on a larger ship. The ambiance was not there. The guest performers were terrific. The on-board assistant cruise directors, who also performed, were not of the same caliber of talent. We all said we enjoyed this and we are very glad we did it. We just would not do another river cruise at this point. Read Less

Great comfortable cabin on nearly new ship, but open closet hanging space is limited. Lectures were good and musical entertainment was generally adequate, we came prepared with own DVD's. Shore excursion to Mt St Helens required 90 minute bus ride for 60 minute visit, but DVD on bus about eruption helped. Pendleton excursion definitely not worth it, would have preferred to remain on board. We enjoyed the locks and the lecturer gave commentary in the lounge. Really no other commentary or map described the areas we were passing by. We kept changing tables in the dining room until we found a server we liked - they usually cover the same 3 or so tables. Usually only a couple choices of appetizer/salad, main course and dessert. They try really hard to accommodate dietary issues, we had none. Snacks and all kinds of sodas/juices always available in several lounges. Jet boat ride on Hells Canyon did not include the sheer canyon walls I expected, but did see an eagle and big horn sheep. Three free washers/dryers with soap pods and dryer sheets provided. Embarkation is walk on from Red Lion Hotel and disembarkation was well organized. Read Less

Doing the Lewis and Clark riverboat Cruise has always been on our bucket list. This seemed to be a good time of the year. Queen of the West is an older boat and is very intimate. Bedroom very small but haven’t spent much time in it but to sleep. Several places where you can sit, watch the scenery, read or visit with the new friends you meet daily. Crew very attentive and Edgar to please. First morning we boarded at 10:30 AM snakes and open bar has we were oriented to our boat. Meals have been delicious! Who doesn’t like a root beer float or ice cream sundae at 8 PM?? As we travel we learn more about the history of the area we are in. Loved Astoria’s quaint look. Houses on hills like San Francisco but then you seen a doe with her fawn meandering down the street or tucked under a 300 foot fir. Read Less

We explored Portland, OR for a couple of days prior to boarding the ship, which enriched our cruise experience, since the cruise did not include a shore excursion there. Embarkation was very easy, as the ship was docked right behind our hotel. All our documents and information was well organized. The ship was new, clean and beautiful, less than a year old, and decorated very nicely. Our cabin was spacious and included a private balcony. We were favorably impressed with the size of the bathroom compared to the other cruise we had taken (on a different cruise line). The staff was friendly, helpful and efficient. Food was excellent with plenty of choices, including vegetarian. Our nightly entertainment included some very talented (and funny) people. We had numerous shore excursions to choose from, something to fit everyone's interests and fitness levels. We especially enjoyed Multnomah Falls and Cape Disappointment State Park. We definitely plan to travel with American Cruise Lines again! Read Less

The American Song is a newer ship, so everything was fresh and new. The staterooms are roomy, with a large bathroom. Plenty of storage, but not a lot of hanging space. The (very) young crew was very professional and tried hard to please everyone. The food was good, and drinks are included during happy hour, dining and with the evening entertainment. There os no assigned seating, so you can meet many other people this way. The entertainment was ok, two nights were excellent and other nights not so much. The bar closes right after the entertainment, so if you want drinks later that could be a problem. The excursions that were offered were good, and on this cruise along the Columbia and Snake Rivers the scenery was amazing! We went on the jet boat ride into Hell's Canyon, which was a lot of fun. This cruise Line caters to a senior crowd, and wouldn't be suitable for younger families. Read Less

We were a little hesitant to sail on the Queen of the West after reading some reviews here on cruise critic and other sites. We spent the night at the Red Lion Inn in Jantzen Beach. Hotel was very nice and the restaurant was as well. The ship was docked within walking distance of the hotel. The crew was so well organized and had our luggage in our cabin by 9:00. We had cabin suite 402. There are only two owners suites on this deck. The cabin was spacious. A Keurig coffee machine is in these suites only. Bring your robe as they do not supply one. Cabin was awesome with views on both Starboard and Portside. There are doors on either side. My advice is to keep your cabin door locked even while you are occupying. We had at least 4 different passengers walk in thinking our cabin was a lounge or the pilot station.??? There is a sign that indicates St. Helen's suite 402. My guess is they were looki loos, not to mention a passenger who used our patio deck as her personal chair. The crew was wonderful. Can't say enough about them. Food is subjective. Some days it was good and some days not so good. This was the first cruise on the Columbia River for the season. The ship had been completely remodeled. It was refreshing to sit on new furniture and duvets. Closet space is ample. They provide umbrellas if needed. Cocktail hour has just about anything you would want and the hordeurves were exceptional. Captain was friendly and mingled with the passengers. My only complaint was there was a lack of communication from the Cruise Director and/or Captain when there were delays. We were delayed twice which shortened our excursions. Entertainment during cocktail hour was loud which prevented us to talk with other passengers. Most of us are 60+ so hearing is impaired somewhat. Lecturer Bill on this cruise was outstanding. Read Less

Oregon was on my bucket list, so for a retirement gift, I took this tour on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. American Cruise Lines has their ships made in America, and their staff booked my trip flawlessly, always able to answer my questions, and sending me information and luggage tags, etc way ahead of time. They provide a complimentary precruise package, which is a night at the Red Lion Hotel on the River, a deliciouis breakfast, and the boat docks by the hotel, so very convenient. You schedule your own transportation to Portland, and sadly there is no shuttle from airport to hotel ($50 taxi for many); I have suggested the hotel supply a shuttle. The ship itself is new and lovely, small and friendly. Four levels and very fast elevators, much faster than large ships. Although I had a single room, I had plenty of room and all rooms have a balcony. The bathroom was stocked with lots of extra amenities under the sink, so I had everything I needed; there is a shower and water is plenty hot. There is a flat screen TV in the room, but it is apparently on Direct TV and it it lost signal quite often while I was watching the Final Four, so I was anxious and hope they solve that issue. The Hotel Manager Nico, and the Cruise Directors as well as every single person on that staff are helpful, pleasant, and bend over backwards to help you. Twice daily at 10am and 3pm they serve warm cookies, and they had turtle, snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin, sugar cookies and others alternating...yum! There are enough seats in the large dining room for everyone apparently, and meals are whenever you come down: Breakfast 730-9 (early riser 630); lunch 12-130, and dinner 530-730, with cocktails/hors d'oeuvres 530-7 and Back Porch Cafe 11-230p and 4-8p.In the dining room you get a menu to choose from about 5 entrees, some usually local fare, and the soups are always great. The hot bread was great, in fact everything was great. There is free wine/beer beginning at lunch, with cocktails later on through evening. During the evening entainment, usually a singer or duo with funny/song singing, the servers bring popcorn, ice cream sodas, ice cream sundaes. There are sodas and snacks left all night in the lounge such as chips, nuts, granola bars. There is no infirmary or casino or pool/hot tub. There is a small workout area with machines, bottled water, but I didnot use it. There is a library with TV and two PCs and printer. There is a complimentary laundry room with free Tide Pods and dryer sheets. You get a lanyard with your name and an RFI card to open your room, etc, and since there is no tipping, it is cashless. There are a few simple activities like art class with a water color artist providing supplies so we could learn to paint, some scrabble and cardgames, trivia. There is a daily movie playing in the rooms pertaining to the area we cruised through, like a movie about Mt St Helens or Fort Clatsop. There were excursions included at every stop, but some premium signature excursions that cost more. The trip was relaxing, with smooth river sailing, so bumps or rocking. Some of the seniors had jazzies and walkers and canes, but they all were able to navigate this small ship well. If the ship ends in Lewiston/Clarkson, there are arrangements to the airports or taxis. I cannot emphasize how very wonderful everyone on the ship was. If I wanted something, when they stopped at every port to get fresh produce, etc, they told me they would pick up anything I wanted. I was glad I got to learn so much about Oregon, saw the Multnomah Falls, and so much history and I recommend this cruise line. :) Read Less

We sailed the Columbia/Snake River cruise. The American Song is a beautiful ship with spacious staterooms and very comfortable design and furnishings. The public deck areas are exceptionally nice with probably the most comfortable deck furniture I have experienced on a cruise ship. The crew was very personable, friendly and accomodating. The hotel director went above and beyond to ensure guests needs were met. The onboard historian brought the river alive with storytelling that made you appreciate what your were seeing and experiencing. It was more than just a cruise, it was an educational experience. The other passengers were very compatible and friendly and it made for a very pleasant journey. The itinerary was very good with a good selection of shore excursions that made it interesting and enjoyable. Going through the locks at each of the Dams was fascinating and interesting. Overall, I give American very high marks. We would definitely cruise with them again. Read Less

This was our fifth cruise with Uncruise and our first on the S.S. Legacy. The cruise left from Clarkston, WA and sailed to Portland, OR. The voyage exceeded its billing as an adventure cruise. While there were plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking and rafting, the cruise also offered a number of tours for those interested in a gentler pace. There were too many highlights to this cruise to list them all. In my mind the quiet paddle on the Palouse River stands out. While the scenery and wildlife along the Snake and Columbia Rivers is wonderful, the route is not remote. For several hours on the Palouse, we simply experienced the sounds of nature. While we've thoroughly enjoyed the crew on our other Uncruises, the standard of service on this trip was exceptional. Moreover, this cruise relied on outside vendors to provide jet boats, bikes, rafting and bus transportation. The vendors completely understood and delivered the Uncruise experience. We will sail with Uncruise again. Read Less

This was a cruise of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. It was interesting on paper, in actuality, if you like riding on buses (I'm pretty sure Lewis & Clark didn't!) then this trip is for you. We went on this cruise because of our past experience on the National Geographic Endeavour in the Galapagos, which was great! I found this cruise no better than any other "regular" cruise. Sure, we had a few interesting stops, but I don't think the wineries and breweries were there in the early 1800s. I don't know, I guess I expected more excitement, to learn more, like it was in the Galapagos - an adventure. I had never been to the Pacific Northwest before and figured this would be a great introduction. But alas! Most of the crew were knowledgeable, passionate about their subjects of focus and personable, there were some exceptions. I can't see shelling out that kind of money for an average cruise like that again. My rating is based on that - big price, average quality. Food was good, not exceptional. Bar prices were average. And as one reviewer noted, there was no place to lounge that was somewhat quiet (The Endeavour had a library that was separate from the lounge). Read Less

We did the Mississippi river cruise with ACL the year before and had a great time. We prefer small ship cruises, especially river cruises. We took a couple of walks around the area of our embarkation port, which was in front of the hotel, and it was beautiful. We disembarked in Clarkston, WA and took a shuttle(a little expensive) to Spokane to fly home, which was one of many choices. Since we didn't fly home till the next day, we had time to walk from our hotel to one of many parks in the area and had lunch at a great seafood restaurant on the river. The ship was built in 2012 and in our opinion, in real good condition. We were informed the first day that WiFi would be slow and spotty, and it was. But we were going in out between mountains and in areas where there wasn't good reception. Our stateroom and bathroom was what we expected for the size we paid for. I wish it was bigger but my husband was happy with it. Plenty of drawers for our clothes and stuff, and the closet was big enough. It had sliding glass doors leading to a private balcony. Perfect. The room was cleaned twice a day and the stewards on our deck were awesome. The dining room was spacious, clean and had huge windows for the views. The dining staff were mostly young and first timers, but always pleasant and willing to learn from their mistakes. There were plenty of food choices at all the meals and the food was real good and presented beautifully. Before dinner there was cocktail hour, and before the nightly entertainment, there was a Late Night bar. The three lounges were all themed different, were comfortable, had good viewing windows and were always stocked with snacks, juices, coffee, and water. The upper deck was a good place to be when you wanted to be outside to sit, to hit a few golf balls, or take a few laps around for exercise. The tours every day were great and there were plenty of choices for all types of interests. And the onboard historian and entertainment were just as good if not better. A lot of the tours and onboard talks were hisorical and focused on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Most of the tours were included in the tour, but a few such as the jet boat tour and Pendleton mill tour were extra. The ship crew members from the Captain to the galley cew, went above and beyond to make us all feel special. They all smiled, had something nice to say, answered our questions and helped when needed. This not a cruise for kids. Or even teenagers, in my opinion. It is planned for adults who are in their 50s or older and want to explore and learn about the country in a little slower pace, like on a river boat. We are going on another cruise with American Cruise Line again, and also thinking about trying a different line later. Read Less

Before I start, let me say that overall the cruise was OK for my wife and I. For my 87 year old mother who we brought, the cruise was better than OK and she enjoyed it a lot. Having never been on another river cruise, she had no real expectations and so it was a great experience for her. For us, this was the first and probably last US based river cruise. All of our experience is on Viking which we knew going in was going to be hard to compare. As mentioned earlier, I am good with period décor and to some degree period accommodations. That said, when one pays for owner suite rooms, those rooms should at least be maintained/not dated. Suite 402 exhibited many squawks including several ceiling panels bent and one completely loose/hanging down at one end, carpet was stained, chairs were missing buttons and worn, chrome soap dish and toothbrush holder were loose, shower soap holder was chipped, outdoor candles on our balcony were all inop, back door handle was loose and back door had visible hinge wedge made out of balled up painters tape, all vertical blinds had at least one (if not several) bent vanes. These are ALL routine maintenance items that there is really no excuse for having not addressed either before or during the cruise - ESPECIALLY if one is paying extra for the owners suite. Last but not least, while I can almost rationalize the wine not being restocked daily in the owner suite, it is hard to imagine (other than lack of attention to detail) why the water and juice were not and why one of the days 1 used wine glass was taken but no new clean one left in its place. Beyond the room squawks, a suggestion I might have is to put a Suite Number sign on the outside of the back door (similar to the sign on the front door). SEVERAL times during the cruise people presumably exploring the ship either walked into our room or tried to walk in (learned after day 2 to keep door locked). A suite marker might help them understand it is not just a passage to the other side or that there is not an inside staircase down to the deck below. At the ship level, the paint has been reasonably maintained with no visible rust and/or staining noticeable - great. Upholstery throughout though was noticeably stained and worn giving a less than warm feeling about sitting on any of the furniture. This was the most noticeable in the dining room and thank heaven those chairs were completely replaced half way through the cruise. Prior to replacing them, honestly ACL, they were just plain disgusting. As for the carpet, it was mostly good except for when you come to the stairs. There were no less than three different carpet styles going from deck one to deck two and one really bad face seam going between another level. I get that it is less expensive to patch in like was done, but seriously, it LOOKS patched in and thus detracts from the sense that the ship is well maintained. Add to this the fact that there were missing and broken paddles on the paddle wheel and, well, again it detracts from the experience knowing that overall maintenance is a little lax and where done cuts corners - presumably for budget reasons. The crew does a great job of compensating for the maintenance deficiencies with helpful attitude and smiles so I give ACL credit for that. Overall however, I am sorry to say I will likely not use ACL again and would definitely not recommend the Queen of The West. I had really hoped for a better cruise experience but the maintenance and service distractions at the owner suite level were to say the least more than a little disappointing Read Less

This was the 3rd cruise with American Cruise Lines for my wife and I. It was recommended to us by fellow travellers during our last ACL cruise in Chesapeake Bay. In particular they asked us to make sure that we booked a trip where Todd Weber was the tour guide. This we did, although we had to join a waiting list. Unfortunately the forest fires in California created so much smoke that it drifted north to our pre cruise stop- Seattle and into Oregon. No fault of ACL. Back to the cruise. We were the only Brits on board. Us together with one Australian couple were the only non USA citizens on this trip. Todd Weber gave a great daily narration of the struggles that Lewis an Clark’s had to endure to help open up a route to thePacific. He also brought along samples of the various implements and Arms they used on the journey. Due to the smoke our view of Mount St Helens was non - existent. The food on board was a little disappointing as was the wine selection. Obviously a budget selection. The Happy hour is still a favourite. But too many seats, no room to circulated and meet fellow travellers. The crew done an adequate job but did not really engage with the passengers. Without Todd this trip would have been really disappointing. Read Less

Wanted to experience the Columbia River and snake River. The trip was a huge disappointment. The ship was basic. No riverboat atmosphere. Cabins sparse. Veranda furniture rusty. Windows dirty. Food only fair. Often not warm and had to be sent back to kitchen Service minimal. Many dining room staff were not trained sufficiently. Four of them said that they were new-started the day before noon Entertainment was quite good 3 nights out of 7. Staff did not exude friendliness. No security at all. No one checking passengers in or out. Extremely overpriced. Excoursions poorly run. This cruise was advertised as a luxury cruise. We expected a riverboat atmosphere but the public rooms felt like a retirement home coffee shop. To describe the food as gourmet is a huge stretch of the imagination. A tablemate described the food as hospital food. They did have lots of booze at the happy hour. Read Less

Wanted to see the northwest and brochures for American Cruise lines was inviting. The queen of the West American Cruise Line trip was very disappointing. The ship was old, food mediocre, overpriced, noisy going through the locks. The young staff, wait staff, while they try hard are only part timers. The stops were boring, except for the Snake River jet boat. , sad to pay so much and be let down. The entertainment was not good, except for Kevin Neil, who was great !!! They could have him every night. Not the fault of the line, but the smoke from the California and Canadian fires really obstructed our views. Even when you get to a excursion you like, there is not enough time to stay. Breakfast was the only meal that was ok ( as a cook myself, hard to mess up breakfast). Queen of the West was supposed to be refurbished. They put new carpeting on the top deck and new chairs. Save your money. Read Less

We chose this cruise because it offered an opportunity to see parts of the US that we had not visited. We specifically chose this itinerary because it gave us a chance to reunite with old friends in our embarkation city of Portland, OR. This was our second cruise with American Cruise Lines and I have to say that they have improved their service since our first cruise almost 10 years ago. Specifically, they have increased their staffing so that they have teams that handle each aspect of the cruise, i.e., wait staff, housekeeping, and boat handling; on our first cruise, each crew member handled all of those duties, so they were really taxed. The complimentary hotel stay at the origin city was pretty good and convenient to the embarkation of the ship. Embarkation process was flawless. The ship is in pretty good shape overall, but you can tell that it has been some time since it was renovated; good news is that they have added usb ports in the staterooms. Food was generally excellent and flavorful; they have added an option to choose 1/2 portions at meals (great idea). The crew did an excellent job throughout the cruise; wait staff was especially good. Always enjoyed the daily happy hour before dinner. On board entertainment and activities were very good. Shore excursions were OK, but in several cases, e.g., Mt St Helen's, provided only a limited time to take in everything. As expected, scenery was excellent, although it was unseasonable hot and we encountered smoke from fires in OR twice. We would recommend this cruise and vessel. Read Less

Wanted to see the snake/columbia rivers. Only cruise line to offer the itinerary we wanted. PLUSES: * FRIENDLY CREW, ALBEIT INEXPERIENCED * OPEN BAR COCKTAIL HOUR EACH EVENING * SMOOTH RIDE, COMFORTABLE SEATING ON DECK * GOOD ON-BOARD LECTURES ON LOCAL HISTORY * MT ST HELENS TOUR WAS INTERESTING * EASY EMBARKATION/DISENBARKATION MINUSES: * food quality was average to poor...served mostly salads for lunch; too few choices. Dinners ok if you like fish..i dont. * food quantity was inadequate for most people. One small piece (one inch long) of bread served for each person at table . Requests for more did not result in extra bread. * cabins very small..i stubbed my foot several times on the metal step into the bathroom. * for several days the hot water for the shower was lukewarm and uncomfortable . * the ship has one small elevator and 4 decks. The elevator was malfunctioned on the first day and would only support one person at a time (rated for 10 persons). It stopped between floors and my wife tripped trying to get out of it. It was then closed for 3 days and the crew was required to carry disabled passengers up and down the stairs. I have a cardiac condition which required me to stop and rest at each landing for most of the week. * cruise was billed as a "wine cruise"...wine was served each nite with dinner but the wine was all local cheap stuff from the wa/or area and nowhere near the best they make. On several occasions i asked for some better wine to be served and was accommodated although just my glass was filled; the remainder of the dinner guests were not offered any. * wi-fi was only occasionally available in our cabin; dropped out often. * paid extra for a "beer tasting"...we were walked off the boat several blocks up a steep incline which i was barely able to negotiate and ushered into the back room of a local bar. We were served 2 small samples of a local craft beer and one small sample of a local cider, both of which were average to poor quality. Strangely none of the product we tasted was available for sale (?) although i would not have purchased it anyway. * the on-board "entertainment" was invisible. There were some musicians at the cocktail hour each nite playing background music. The blues band was ok. * the only exercise equipment or space on board was two bikes outside on the top deck... SUMMARY: Considering the poor food quality, quantity and choices, the mediocre accommodations and the water/elevator issues, this cruise is a poor value overall. We have been on 3 eu river cruises which cost less, have vastly better food and drink and much better on-board entertainment. The "queen of the west" is an old queen...the recent re-furbishment wasn't evident...still reminded me of cruising in the 1950's and 1960's on cheap boats. I would not recommend this cruise line, and especially this boat, to anyone. We will likely go back to viking or ama which have vastly better service, food and newer boats. Read Less

We chose this cruise to see the Pacific Northwest. It was good, except for the nightmarish first day with no air conditioning and a toilet that did not work! UGH! We were moved (to a lesser room) and after that things were OK. The company offered no compensation for this awful experience. The company is still working things out with meals, excursions, but acceptable. The waiter spilled beer all over my wife's clothing one night and she had to leave the dinner. I wrote to the CEO and never received even the courtesy of a response. Thus this review. I would be fearful of using the ship again. The Riverlorian and entertainment were very good. We are veteran travelers and not much gets our attention, but this surely did, what a way to run a business!! The Pacific Northwest is rich in nature and natural sights, but sparse in tourist destinations, most seem forced with little to offer, although they are trying. For the money, and no consideration when they screw up, the value is not there Read Less

This was a small ship-175 passengers on a USA River. We did not need to fly to or from another country. The trip on the Columbia and Snake Rivers was Wonderful. While we had driven the route through the Gorge, it was totally different taking in the scenery from a ship. We had the experience of going through several of the locks during daylight which was very interesting. The cabins are more than adequate with excellent storage space and comfortable beds. The bathrooms are small but more than adequate. The number of outlets in the room is adequate for all your charging. Dining is served for all the passengers at the same time. It is open seating, with tables of 4, 6, or 8. The food is prepared to order but is not a huge menu. It was always quite good - not Crystal quality but good. Wines served were adequate and are included with meals. A Cocktail Hour is held every day with appetizers and choices of drinks available. There is some entertainment every night. We chose the Lewis and Clark cruise because of the Lecturer - Todd Weber. He was Outstanding. Almost all the the Shore excursions are included and are interesting. TV and internet was hit or miss throughout the cruise. We would definitely take another trip that Todd Weber was guest lecturer on. He made the difference between an interesting cruise and an outstanding cruise. Read Less

Lewis and Clark expedition "Riverlorian" on board was very knowledgeable, and his visual aids and manner of presenting was very engaging. The staff were outstanding in their commitment to providing personal service. Complimentary wine was served at all meals. I asked if they had "14 Hands" wine during the first dinner. They did not have it, but one of the staff bought some at the next port, and served it during every meal for the rest of the cruise! The servers at meal time truly enjoyed what they were doing, learned peoples names, and smiled all the time. When we asked them how they got into their jobs, we discovered that many of them had formal trying and degrees in Hospitality and Tourism or Culinary Arts. The different staff areas (housekeeping, food service, etc.) evidenced a commitment to ongoing training in that we observed them having daily staff "huddles" to review their areas performance. Procedures used throughout the cruise (boarding, meals, excursions, security,etc.) evidenced excellent organization always Multiple lounges on board were attractively decorated, clean, and always stocked with refreshments. Before dinner cocktail hour included complimentary top shelf liquor as well as outstanding gourmet quality munchies. We will travel with American Cruise Line again! Read Less